Why does Customs House have Nazi swastikas on the floor?
” Brett, via email It’s odd to be welcomed into a new country by what appears to be a symbol synonymous with Nazis. In fact, despite Customs House putting up a plaque in the foyer to explain the symbols, they still receive a great many complaints. The equilateral black cross with arms bent at right angles in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions is not actually a Nazi swastika (which was a clockwise cross). “It is a fylfot, the universal positive symbol used since ancient times throughout many cultures and religions such Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism as a blessing to bring wellbeing, luck and prosperity,” explains Shelly Fitzgerald, City of Sydney historian. “When it was built in 1845, Customs House was the front door of Australia for all people and goods arriving at Circular Quay by boat. The fylfot was meant to be a welcoming sign to all who crossed the threshold.” Installed in 1920, they’re now heritage listed. “They’re part of the integrity of the building,” says Fitzgerald
